His excellency Dr. Mahmud Bawumia is the special guest of honour at this year’s National Maulid (23-11-19) under the tutelage of his eminence the national chief Imam oh the Republic of Ghana Dr. Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu. The VP of Ghana delivered his speech after acknowledging the presence of the Ulamma, regional chief imams, Zango chiefs, members parliament and of the diplomatic core and fellow Muslims.
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It is always a special privilege for me to to be here to join our father Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu and fellow Muslims to commemorate one of the greatest events in history; the birth of our beloved Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم we are all gathered here today as Muslims due to our belief in one thing; “La illaha illa laah Muhammadu Rasulullah” صلى الله عليه وسلم Earlier today, I was in Techiman for a programme and this morning, I will be traveling to Nandon in the upper west region but I had to come back from Techiman to attend this Maulid because of the blessings that I know we’ll all get from it. It is a significant event for every Muslim as it reminds us of Allah’s greatest gift and mercy to mankind that Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم as Allah Subhanahu Wata-aallah states; the birth of Muhammed صلى الله عليه وسلم indeed is great mercy to mankind (Surah Al-Anbiya Chap 21: Verse 107 وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ And We have not sent you but as a mercy to the worlds) he has been a glittering light in an otherwise dark world. He is not only a source of Allah’s mercy to mankind; his exemplary life has become a template for acceptable human behaviour.
This is about the fourth successive time I am attending the national Maulid as a VP of the republic since your overwhelming support in 2016 entrusted the running of this country into our hands. I’ve cherished each occasion and always look forward to the Maulid because it is a special occasion that brings the nation together regardless of political or religious background. Despite Maulid being a religious event to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم one of the brightest spots is the invitation and gracing of this event by Christian leaders. This is indeed significant because our nation’s quest to strengthen peace and religious tolerance we enjoy in our country is always one we should pursue. Tolerance is very important in societies and every human endeavour because tolerance is a recipe for peace and unity. The great man (Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم we are commemorating his birth today undoubtedly passes as “the most patient and tolerant man that has ever lived” and as he rightfully admonished and authenticated in the Hadith, the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said and I coat ” Patience and tolerance is the best deed”. My chairman, patience, and tolerance are important values upon which peaceful societies are built. To be tolerant is not to display weakness and cowardice; tolerance is a great display of strength and a heart to ensure respect, human rights, cultural and religious diversity. Fellow Muslims! Islam is peace and tolerance is a fundamental requirement for achieving peace at all levels; individuals, groups, communities and state levels. Therefore, upholding the virtues of patience and tolerance is not a choice but an obligation for every Muslim as Allah says in the Holy Qur-an. As I mentioned earlier, upholding patience and tolerance should be at different levels of our society. And it is important for us to note and appreciate realities as individuals and groups that we cannot all be the same; the natural reality is that people will always be distinct and their choices and behaviour will differ from ours; that is how Allah made us; very different. The only thing that can keep us together peaceful as people is to embrace patience and tolerance. It is not an easy thing to do but again as Muslims and people of a great peaceful nation, it is important for us to strive and uphold these values at all times. Life of our beloved prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم provides us a great example of how to be patient and tolerant. The prophet’s life embodied patience and tolerant. He spoke about them so passionately that he is coated as saying in a hadith that ” eemaan (faith) is patience and tolerance”.
We have in our midst one of the most patient and tolerant and peaceful person in our country and in the world, he’s the man who symbolizes the value of our religion and an example of how the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم taught us to live; he is our father Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu the National Chief Imam. Sheikh Usman or Mallam as we call him continues to be a modern example of a Muslim for all of us and is widely acclaimed virtues of being a man of unity, tolerance, and peace are a source of great pride and encouragement. Earlier this year, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu marked his centenary birthday celebration; 100 years! Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu is a blessing and Allah’s grace to our dear country and has remained a source of peace and unity in Ghana over the years. And is important to the nation’s continued quest to strengthen interfaith dialogue and peace. The BBC described Sheikh Sharubutu as a light in a dark world.
Source: Wadataonline.com/Abdul Kadiri Umar
